Metro Board Unanimously Advances K Line North Light Rail Extension

Mayor Bass backs off push for delays after compromise reached with West Hollywood and transit advocates

Mar. 27, 2026 at 2:54am

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The Metro board unanimously approved the San Vicente-Fairfax alignment as the locally preferred alternative for the K Line North Extension, a key north-south light rail project that will connect several existing Metro lines. The first phase will extend the line from the E Line to the D Line, with the full extension serving population-dense central neighborhoods in Los Angeles and West Hollywood. While Mayor Bass initially pushed for delays, a compromise was reached that limits the delay to one year and allows other parts of the project to proceed.

Why it matters

The K Line North Extension will significantly improve the usefulness of Southern California's rail network by tying together several existing Metro lines, providing better connectivity for residents and workers in central Los Angeles neighborhoods. The project faced some opposition from mid-city residents concerned about tunneling, but transit advocates and the city of West Hollywood, which is contributing funding, were able to overcome those concerns.

The details

The approved alignment is roughly 10 miles long with 9 stations, extending from the current K Line terminus at Exposition/Crenshaw to connect with the D Line at Wilshire/Fairfax and the B Line at Hollywood/Highland. The first phase (initial operating segment) will be about 4 miles, extending from the E Line to the D Line. While the full project has over $2 billion in Measure M funding, that money is not scheduled until 2041, so West Hollywood is pushing to accelerate the timeline by contributing $2.5 billion towards capital costs.

  • The Metro board unanimously approved the San Vicente-Fairfax alignment as the locally preferred alternative on March 26, 2026.
  • The first phase (initial operating segment) of the K Line North Extension is expected to extend about 4 miles from the E Line to the D Line.

The players

Metro

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the public transportation agency for Los Angeles County.

Karen Bass

The Mayor of Los Angeles who initially pushed for delays to the project but later reached a compromise.

Lindsey Horvath

A Los Angeles County Supervisor and champion of the K Line North Extension project.

West Hollywood

The city that is contributing $2.5 billion towards the capital costs of the project to help accelerate the timeline.

Stephanie Wiggins

The CEO of Metro who negotiated the final terms of the compromise with Mayor Bass and Supervisor Horvath.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.